The NFL season has come to an end. Like every other season, this one didn't disappoint. As well as impressive performances, the season also had its fair share of drama. And for Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the main topic of conversation was Russell Wilson. So, let's take a closer look at Wilson and the Steelers.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game.
Wilson moved to the Steelers last year. He was signed on a one-year contract worth $1.21 million, which caused an incredible amount of excitement for the league and fans. Wilson is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback with an incredible reputation. Many believed he had what it takes to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to a successful season.
Background on Russell Wilson and the Steelers
Russell Wilson was first drafted back in 2012 by the Seattle Seahawks. It wasn't long until he became a top player across the league. In his second year in the NFL, he led the Seahawks to their very first Super Bowl win. For almost a decade Wilson was the face of the Seahawks. However things ended up taking a turn for the worse, and Wilson's relationship with the Seahawks started to become sour. In 2022 he was traded to the Denver Broncos, where he signed a five-year, $245 million deal. The five-year contract fell short and the Broncos announced their plans to release Wilson for the 2024 season. This is when he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as their starting quarterback. While he suffered a calf injury in the preseason and was sidelined until week 7. He still managed to win four games in a row and help the Steelers to finish second in the AFC North for the 2024/25 season.
The Steelers are an iconic franchise in the NFL that is known for their toughness and stability. While they have a successful past, they've also had their own struggles in recent years. The retirement of Ben Roethlisberger had a huge impact on the team putting them in the market for a new star quarterback. Wilson seemed like the obvious choice, that he would be able to be the missing piece. Many fans were disappointed with his debut season as a Steeler. His arrival brought a lot of drama, which made fans wonder if he would return next season.
Wilson’s potential to turn the Steelers around
Wilson has a great reputation in the NFL. He is known for his football IQ, strong arm and his ability to lead a team even when the pressure is on. Many fans were excited to see how his presence would affect the Steelers. His experience in the NFL is extremely valuable. Many fans believe that he had the potential to turn the Steelers around. The goal was that Wilson and Justin Fields would work alongside each other to turn the Steeler's offense around. This included the hope that he would pass on his knowledge and experience to newer players. His successful career with the Seahawks meant that there were high hopes. This could be seen particularly in the betting world. Any betting app would show you the increase in odds for the Steelers thanks to the arrival of Wilson. One of the most important aspects that bettors look for is consistency. His career has shown just that, which made him and the Steelers a favorite at the beginning of the season.
Is Russell Wilson on his way out or will he stay?
The beginning of 2025 saw rumors of whether Wilson would stay or not swirling around. This of course brought on a lot of controversy with many fans unsure what the future would hold for the player. There was a lot of talk about issues with Wilson and other team members, although nothing was confirmed. However recent news from several publications including Sports Illustrated has now confirmed that the player will not be returning. It's official that Wilson will not be returning. The Steelers have shared their plans for the upcoming season with President Art Rooney sharing that they would like to sign one of their two incumbent quarterbacks to a long-term contract this offseason. This solidifies that Wilson is no longer part of the Steelers' plan. There's still no word on what this means for Wilson and what his plans are for the reason. Some fans believe that this might be the time he retires, especially after a bumpy couple of years in the NFL. But Wilson is no stranger to challenging situations, many of his fans believe that this isn't the end of his career.
Wilson's time with the Pittsburgh Steelers has been a whirlwind. The player spent a lot less time with the Steelers than many initially thought. His talent and experience were unfortunately not enough for him to take the Steelers to victory. Now that it's official and Wilson isn't returning to the Steelers, many fans are speculating his next move.
